USMNT Roster Announced For Brazil, Peru
By Sean Maslin
After a disappointing Gold Cup run it appears that Jurgen Klinsmann is looking to some old faces to spark the United States Men’s National Team. On Sunday, Klinsmann announced his 22-man roster that will take on Peru and Brazil as part of their next series of friendlies.
The United States will play Peru on Friday at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C. then head to Foxbrough, Massachusetts next to Tuesday to take on Brazil.
Of course the biggest addition to this squad on paper is the return of goalkeeper Tim Howard. Howard who has been out of the USMNT picture since the end of the 2014 Gold Cup. Howard as of now is expected to back-up Guzan in both the Brazil and Peru matches. Depending upon how they go he may see minutes in the second half. William Yarbrough will serve as their number three, an indicator that he has perhaps moved ahead of Bill Hamid (D.C. United) and Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake).
In defense, Geoff Cameron returns after a brief absence due to injuries. The Stoke City defender missed the 2015 Gold Cup due to injury and has had only a nominal presence in Klinsmann’s USMNT picture this year. But Cameron has had a strong start with the Potters this year in the Premier League and given U.S.A.’s struggles in defense it seems like now would be the perfect time to re-introduce him.
Jermaine Jones makes his return in the midfield for Klinsmann after having missed of his 2015 campaign with the New England Revolution. The 32-year old has missed two months of the Revs regular season after undergoing hernia surgery. He played 62 minutes on Saturday in the Revs 1-0 victory over the Philadelphia Union.
What will be interesting to see is if Klinsmann continues the “Jermaine Jones as a center-back” experiment. Although it was extremely unsuccessful during the U.S.A.’s last four friendlies in 2014 (the team did not win one match) Jurgen seemed bound and determined at finding a position that required less running for Jones. Expect Peru to be the testing ground for more interesting formations in preparation for Brazil.
The Revs will also be pleased with Jones’ inclusion because it does not interfere with their club schedule. New England has a game on Wednesday against Orlando City SC which Jones is confirmed to play in and will not play again until Sunday September 13th against Toronto F.C. Depending upon how much he is used against Brazil, Revs coach Jay Heaps may choose to rest him.
However, not every team is as lucky as New England. Gyasi Zardes and Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles Galaxy,) Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City,) Jozy Altidore (Toronto F.C.,) and Mix Diskerud (NYCFC) were all called into these friendlies and will all miss time with their club sides. It should be noted that both of these friendlies fall within FIFA’s international calendar and that MLS routinely schedules matches during this time frame.
Here is a look at the full roster.
GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), William Yarbrough (Club Leon)
DEFENDERS (8): Ventura Alvarado (Club America), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Greg Garza (Atlas), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Michael Orozco (Club Tijuana), Tim Ream (Fulham)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Joe Corona (Veracruz), Mix Diskerud (New York City FC), Jermaine Jones (New England Revolution), Alfredo Morales (FC Ingolstadt), Danny Williams (Reading), DeAndre Yedlin (Tottenham Hotspur)
FORWARDS (5): Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Aron Johannsson (Werder Bremen), Bobby Wood (Union Berlin), Andrew Wooten (SV Sandhausen), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)